Apparatus for assembling continuous tubular article from two or more continuous partitubular sections



ETAL uous TU Dec. 2, 1969 w. F. MUTTER 3,481,817

APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING CONTIN BULAR ARTICLE OM TWO OR MORE CONTINUOUSPARTITUBULAR SECTIONS Filed April 14, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 2, 1969w. F. MUTTER ETAL ,817

APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING CONTINUOUS TUBULAR ARTICLE FRO TWO OR MORECONTINUOUS PARTITUBULAR SECTIONS Filed April 14, 6

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 2, 1969 w. F. MUTTER ETAL 3, 7

APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING CONTINUOUS TUBULAR ARTICLE FROM TWO OR MORECONTINUOUS PARTITUBULAR SECTIONS Filed April 14'. 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 5NE QE llwl I J M gm F 3 2 15 5 Q E u 2N P E w@ |hw 1/ United StatesPatent 3,481,817 APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING CONTINUOUS TUBULAR ARTICLEFROM TWO OR MORE CONTINUOUS PARTITUBULAR SECTIONS Walter F. Mutter andGeorge L. Mathe, Richmond, Va., assignors to Philip Morris Incorporated,New York, N.Y., a corporation of Virginia Filed Apr. 14, 1966, Ser. No.542,517 Int. Cl. A24c 5/50 US. Cl. 156-383 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE Apparatus for assembling the continuous article comprised oftwo interfitting continuous bodies is disclosed. It includes first andsecond endless chain assemblies supported such that each have a straightrun coextensive and parallel with a like straight run of the other. Aplurality of blocks comprising a block train is mounted on each chainassembly, the blocks aligning during the coextensive straight runs toprovide surfaces for receiving the continuous bodies with the lateralspacing between the block trains during the straight runs beingsubstantially equal to the outside dimension of the continuous articleswhereby the two bodies are forced into interfitting assembly.

This invention relates to apparatus for assembling two or morecontinuous partitubular shell sections to form a continuous tubulararticle.

The apparatus of the present invention is in general suited for use inassembling two or more continuous shaped bodies which interfit to form acontinuous fabricated article as for example, a continuous tube. It isparticularly useful for assembling a continuous fabricated cigarettefilter rod, being utilized as part of the system apparatus described inthe patent application of Wesley S. Larson et al., entitled Manufactureof Continuous Tubular Article, Ser. No. 542,518, filed Apr. 14, 1966.

The mentioned patent application describes the manner in which acontinuous cigarete filter rod is fabricated, the two partitubularsections which, when fitted together, constitute the rod being firstshaped in a single continuous strip of moldable material. The sectionsare thereafter severed from the single shaped strip and furtherprocessed with respect to trimming residue, applying adhesive to one andultimately are brought together at an assembling station at which pointa continuous strip of filter material is fed longitudinally intermediatethe two sections just before actual assembly thereof.

V In accordance with the present invention the apparatus with which thesections are assembled is a conveyor-assembler which may embody a pairof chain assemblies arranged to have each a straight portion of runwhich is coextensive with the run of the other. The chain assemblies arepowered by a suitable drive means and each are provided with a pluralityor train of blocks, the blocks on one chain registering with the blockson the other at least during the coextensive straight runs thereof. Thetwo shell sections which comprise the continuous article are led intothe conveyor-assembler in a converging path being properly oriented onerespectively with the other so that when asesmbled they will constitutea continuous hollow article. The sections are fed onto the block membersof each chain assembly at the beginning of the straight run thereof. Thechain assemblies are arranged such that during the straight runs thereofthe trains of blocks are spaced apart at a distance substantially equalto the outside dimension of the tubular article. Thus the trains ofblocks force the shell sections into a interfitting assembly.

3,481,817 Patented Dec. 2, 1969 ice -A modified form of the inventionprovides that one of the chain assemblies may be replaced with aregistration wheel mounted to rotate in a plane coincident with thetravel of the other chain assembly. The periphery of the registrationwheel is concave grooved so as to receive one of the shell sections.Thus in the course of the rotative travel of the wheel adjacent saidother chain assembly, it directs the shell section thereon intointerfitting assembly with the shell section carried on the chainassembly.

The invention includes other novel features including means foreffecting specific longitudinal alignment between the respective shellsections as they are being assembled.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent from a considerationof representative embodiments of the principles of the invention to bedescribed. The invention accordingly comprises the features ofconstruction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts, whichwill be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth and thescope of the invention will be indicated in the claim.

Reference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a generally schematic representation in front elevation ofone embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention as it may beused for assembling two continuous shell sections to form a continuoustubular article.

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view similar to FIG- URE 1 but onenlarged scale.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view as taken along the line IIIHI in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view of the conveyor assembler shown in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5 is an end elevational view as taken along the line VV in FIGURE2.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of one of the blocks used in the train ofblocks on each chain assembly of the apparatus of FIGURE 1 andillustrates the registration pins carried in each block which engagecompanion indentations in the shell sections being assembled to insureproper longitudinal registration of the shell sections one with theother.

FIGURE 7 is a side elevational view of a modified form of the apparatuswherein a single chain assembly and registration wheel are utilized forassembling the shell sections.

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view as take-n along the line VIII-VIII inFIGURE 7.

Throughout the description like reference numerals are used to denotelike parts in the drawings.

The apparatus of the present invention is disclosed herein inrepresentative embodiments as being used for assembling two continuouspartitubular shell sections to form a continuous tubular article. Itshould be understood, however, that the apparatus has a more generalutility and can be used for assembling continuous articles formed fromtwo or more continuous bodies irrespective of the surface shape of thebodies and including both thin walled and solid bodies and combinationsthereof. As used herein interfitting is intended to denote continuousbodies which are adapted to interfit with each other to form acontinuous assembled structure.

An overall system in which the conveyor-assembler of the presentinvention may be used is described in detail in the aforementionedpatent application of Wesley S. Larson et al. In that system, acontinuous strip of moldable material is advanced onto a rotatingforming wheel whereon the two partitubular shell sections which comprisethe ultimate continuous article are shaped longitudinally in the strip.The strip is then led off the forming wheel and severed into the twolongitudinal sections, the sections then being trimmed, an adhesiveapplied to the edges of one and the two sections then advanced towardthe assembly station, one of the sections being inverted 180 so as tofacilitate bringing it into juxtaposed open face-to-face relation withthe other section just prior to actual assembly.

At that point in the fabrication process, the two shell sections areready to enter the conveyor-assembler in the manner generally shown inFIGURES 1 and 2. Referring in detail to FIGURES 1 and 2, the upper shellsection 11 which may be termed by way of convenience as a female sectioninasmuch as the two shell sections are intended to interfit with a maleand female joint means as generally denoted at 100 in FIGURE 3, isdirected over a roller means 12 and downwardly towards and passes undera guide assembly 20. The other continuous section 13 which by way ofconvenience is termed a male section, proceeds along in the generallystraight run as shown having been oriented (by means not shown) from aconcave outer surface up to a concave outer surface down position sothat its open face will be opposed to that of the female section 11.Simultaneous with the first entry of male section 13 onto theconveyor-assembler 10 as seen in FIGURE 1, there is inserted therein acontinuous strip of filter material 14 which is fed longitudinallyintermediate the converging shell sections, the filter material 14 beingfirmly inserted in the male section 13 by means of a resilientlysupported presser device 15.

The specific details of construction of the conveyorassembler 10 willnot be described. It includes an upper chain assembly and a lower chainassembly 32, the lower chain assembly it will be noted, having a longertotal run than that of the upper chain assembly. The chain assemblies30, 32 each are driven by suitable counterrotating sprockets 34, 36,respectively, the sprockets being of the same diameters and connected asshown in FIGURE 5 with pinion gears 38 and 40 respectively, which aredriven from a common power shaft 42. Idler pulleys 46 also are providedfor each chain assembly. The pinion gears 38 and 40 are also of equaldiameter and therefore the line speed of each chain assembly is thesame. The chain assemblies 30, 32 comprise each a plurality of links 44of conventional construction each of which carry a block 50 of theconstruction illustrated in FIGURE 6. As may be seen in FIGURE 2, thechain assemblies 30, 32 are supported in a manner as will be describedso as to have a coextensive straight run between the two pointsgenerally indicated at and 60. The blocks on the chain assembliesbetween said points thus present contiguous shell section engaging meansor surfaces as will appear. Moreover, the blocks on one chain assemblyas for example, upper chain assembly 30, are arranged such that duringthe straight run between points 55 and they move along in opposedlongitudinal alignment with a companion block on the other chainassembly. The lateral spacing of the respective trains of blocks on eachchain assembly during the straight run between points 55 and 60 issubstantially equal to the outside dimension of the assembled tubulararticle. In this manner, the male and female sections 13 and 11 areforced into interfitting relation, the fully assembled condition thereofbeing best seen in section in FIGURE 3. It is during the period of thetravel of the assembled article between points 55 and 60, that theadhesive applied to the female joint means may be activated to effect anadhesive connection between the shell sections.

The blocks 50 mounted on the respective chain assemblies are providedwith longitudinal grooves as at 51, the grooves being generally concavein section to correspond with the particylindrical outer surfaceconfiguration of the shell sections 11 and 13. However, it will beapparent to those skilled in the art that the groove configuration ofthe blocks may be varied to conform same to the section shape ofarticles having a wide range of outer surface configurations includingoval, square, trapezoidal, etc. The blocks 50 are provided with a pairof connector arms 53, 54 for attaching the blocks to the chain links 44,the arms having holes through which pass the chain link connector pins57 (FIG. 3).

As the chain assemblies 30, 32 traverse their respective courses oftravel it is preferable to provide support and/or guide structures toobviate undue fiexure in the chain elenents. Obviously this isparticularly desirable during the time the blocks 50 are in contact withthe assembled tubular article, viz, between points 55 and60. This sup.-porting structure may be best seen in FIGURES 2; 3, 4 and 5 whereinitwill be noted it may include a-numberof separate guide tracks -73,associated with the forward and return travel straight courses of thetwo chain assemblies. The guide tracks may be connected with suitableupright members mounted on basemem'bers' 76 as shown in FIGURES 4 and 5.The guide tracks function generally to maintain the chain assemblyblocks 50 in planar alignment during the major course of travel. Thus,the guide tracks 71 and 72 provide that the blocks 50in the chainassemblies 30, 32 have straight, uniformly, laterally spaced runsbetween points 55 and 60, and constitute contiguous, straight shellsections engaging and supporting means. The structural shapes showninFIGURE 3 are representative of the construction of the various guidetracks. Thus, the guide tracks'71 and '72 have transverse shoulders 77arranged in 'opposedpairs on which the blocks 50 ride, the blocks havingslotted margins as at 52 conforming to the shape of the shoulders 77.The friction generated by the travel of the blocks along the guidetracks may be minimized by' coating the track surfaces with a layer ofantifriction material, as for example, Teflon.

An important feature of the invention is that as the chain assemblies30, 32 rotate, they'are controlledto operate at equal line speeds andare adapted to have the blocks 50 of one register longitudinally duringthe straight run between points 55 and 60 with a companion block in theother. The purpose of providing this registration is to effect aspecific longitudinal alignment between the male and female shellsections 13 and 11. As describedin the aforementioned Larson et al.patent application, the respective cigarette filter rod sections areeach provided with internal ribs 80 and smoke barriers 81 which whenassembling the filter rod must be aligned in specific relation with eachother. Only one shell section 11- is shown for convenience in FIGURE 6but it will-be'apparent that the other is of identical construction.Unless proper registration is maintained between the shell sections, therepeating pattern of ribs 80 and smoke barriers 81 in. one section willnot match in the intended manner with those in the other and theultimate assembled article when cut into individual cigarette'filterlengths will 'be unsuitable for the purpose intended. The constructionof the cigarette filter rod as disclosed in the aforementioned patentapplication is such that proper longitudinal'alignment of the respectiveshell sections 11 and 13 involves axially aligning the smoke barriers 81of one with a designated supporting rib 80 in the other. To insure thatthis proper registration of the respective sections occurs, the shellsections 11 and 13 are formed with inwardly directed shoulders orindentations as shown in FIGURE 6, these shoulders being'of a repeatingpattern. As the shellsections enter the conveyor-assembler onto theblocks 50 of the respective chain assemblies, the registration'pins 58provided on each block engage the indentations 90 in the shell sectionsbringing them into the intended longitudinal alignment. l

Further understanding of the invention will appear from a briefdescription of the manner of operation thereof. The properly orientedmale section is first advanced onto the train of blocks'50. of chainassembly 32, the latter being of greater overall length than chainassembly 30 to facilitate inserting the continuous filter strip 14therein with the preser device 15. The subassembly represented by thefilter strip and male shell section is then conveyed onwardly and thefemale section 11 led in converging course therewith under guideassembly 20. The guide assembly does not however, effect anylongitudinal alignment or interfitting assembly between the shellsections. This is accomplished only when the female shell sectionadvances onto the blocks 50 of the upper chain assembly 30 as occurs at55. At this point the shell sections are forced together laterally andthe longitudinal alignment therebetween effected. The shell sections 11and 13 are maintained under this assembly action until point 60 isreached from whence the chain assemblies start to diverge as shown, thefully assembled filter rod thereafter being advanced to a cuttingstation at which it is severed into lengths of predetermined measure inknown manner.

The conveyor-assembler 150 shown in FIGURES 7 and 8 differs from thatpreviously described in that it includes a lower chain assembly 160 anda registration wheel 170 instead of an upper chain assembly, The lowerchain assembly 160 rides around a powered sprocket 161 and an idlersprocket 162 as shown, and comprises a plurality of links 163 each ofwhich carry a block 164, the latter being of the same construction asthe blocks 50 described earlier herein. As will be noted, the chainassembly 160 has substantially straight upper and lower courses alongwhich may extend guide tracks 165 and 166, respectively, the latterserving the same function as the guide tracks of the apparatusembodiment hereinbefore described. Registration wheel 170 is a powerdriven member supported for rotation in a plane coincident with thetravel of the lower chain assembly 160 and is provided with a concaveperipheral face 171 as best seen in FIGURE 8 to adapt the wheel forreceiving the convex outer surface of a female shell section 180 as willbe described. The registration wheel 170 also is provided at each sidethereof with uniformly, circumferentially spaced registration pins 172,the registration pins extending transversely inwardly of the sides andfunctioning as will appear.

The operation of the conveyor-assembler 150 will now be described. Amale shell section 182 is advanced, convex outer surface down onto thetrain of blocks 164 of lower chain assembly 160. A little distance downthe line therefrom, a continuous filter strip 183 is directed under aseating block 184 being inserted thereby into the male shell section. Atthe same time the female shell section 180 is directed over the lowerchain assembly 160, around a lead-in pulley 184 and onto theregistration wheel 170, the female shell section passing under a lead-inblock 186 which inserts the shell section securely into the groovedperiphery of the registration wheel. The lead-in block 186 may besupported adjacent the wheel by a suitable support means (not shown).The female shell section is first lead onto the registration wheel insuch manner that the registration pins on the wheel will engage inshoulders 90 (FIG. 6) formed in the shell section, the registration pinsbeing circumferentially spaced around the wheel a distance equal to thelongitudinal 6 spacing of adjacent shoulders in the shell section.Moreover, the registration wheel 170 is rotated at a requisite RPM togive the wheel a peripheral speed equal to that of the line speed of thelower chain assembly. Inasmuch as the lower chain assembly blocks 164are provided with registration pins, the desired longitudinal alignmentbetween the two shell sections may be easily effected. As theregistration wheel rotates, it passes through its point of closestadjacency to the lower chain assembly at 200, a distance about from thelead-in block 186. At the latter location 200, the shell sections arebrought into interfitting assembly with the female shell section passingoff the registration wheel. The assembled filter rod then passes under astabilizer device 210 which maintains the shell sections in assembledcondition during the time a permanent connection therebetween is beingeffected, as for example, activating an adhesive previously applied toone or both of the shell section interfitting surfaces.

The apparatus of FIGURES 7 and 8 is advantageously employed when it isdesired to have more accessibility for inserting additional articleswithin the rod structure as for example, pills, powder granules, etc.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for joining two semitubular sections having interfittingedge surfaces to form a tubular article, such as cigarette filter rod,said sections also having indentations therein at longitudinally spacedlocations, said apparatus comprising two conveyors each of whichincludes an endless chain, trains of blocks mounted on each endlesschain, said blocks each having a concave groove therein, said chainshaving coextensive, parallel straight run paths in which the blocks ineach train face each other with the grooves therein juxtaposed at adistance equal to the outside dimension of the tubular article so as toposition sections held on such trains in edge to edge juxtaposition andforce said sections into interfitting assembly, guide track meansassociated with each conveyor, the blocks in each train further havingshoulders at their sides engaged With said guide track means formaintaining the spacing between the block trains during the straight runtravel of said chains, and alignment pins carried on each block forengaging the indentations in said sections to prevent relativelongitudinal movement between the two sections.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,235,429 2/1966 Boggs 156-544 XR3,394,713 7/1968 Thomson et al. 131-210 XR 3,323,274 6/1967 Justus156-292 XR 3,302,278 2/1967 Whitney 29-200 XR 3,189,505 6/1965 Sloan etal 156-292 XR 3,170,581 2/1965 Temple 214-309 2,912,043 11/1959Bargholtz et a1. 156-292 XR 2,670,885 3/ 1954 Allen.

2,329,938 9/1943 Ortiz 29-463 1,949,984 3/1934 Walker 29-463 1,619,3873/1927 Waugh 131-264 FOREIGN PATENTS 965,034 7/ 1964 Great Britain.

HAROLD ANSHER, Primary Examiner G. W. MOXON II, Assistant Examiner US.Cl. X.R.

